704 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 



from three different localities, of alleged tin ore, with some other minerals, for 

 assay. I sent one specimen of the alleged tin ore for analysis, to each of the fol- 

 lowing chemists : Prof. G. E. Patrick, State University, Kansas ; Prof. G. H. 

 Failyer, State Agricultural College, Kansas, and Prof. Chas. A. Schaeffer, Cornell 

 University. In due time I received replies from all these chemists. Prof. Fail- 

 yer wrote that the specimen sent to him was a first-rate specimen of garnet. 

 Prof. Patrick wrote that the specimen forwarded to him was a fair specimen of 

 oxide of iron. 



Prof. Schaeffer, of Cornell University, wrote me at some length, about the 

 alleged tin ore and the other specimens forwarded. He says in substance : 



"As to the specimens you forwarded, I am sorry to say, I shall have to give 

 a very unfavorable report. The tin ore, from Burnett County, contains no tin, 

 and consists of garnet. The cinnabar^ from Gillespie County, is very good 

 looking hematite. And the lead and silver specimen proves to be a chunk of 

 metallic lead with only a trace of silver — ^just about as much as is usually found 

 in all commercial samples. The small fossils are casts of the interior of some 

 species of the genus Turritella. As the sub genera and species are distinguished 

 by the external markings of the shells and the shape of the mouth, it is impossi- 

 ble to name them any more definitely. The genus extends from the Silurian 

 to the present time. Prof. H. S. Williams, thinks, however, that the specimens 

 in question are probably Cretaceous. 



" In spite of the foregoing I shall always be happy to assist you to the ex- 

 tent of my power in your efforts to develop the hidden resources of Texas. 

 During the past year I had some experience in that State which was quite inter- 

 esting. Early in the year I received a number of specimens of limestone 

 which I found contained gold, some of them being quite rich. The result of the 

 matter was that I was sent there to investigate, and spent about six weeks in June 

 and July in Williamson County. The particular point of my operations was about 

 eighteen miles north of Georgetown, very near the border of Bell County. I 

 certainly found gold, but came to the conclusion that there was very little pros- 

 pect of finding enough to pay. I have written a brief paper on the subject to be 

 read at the next meeting of the mining engineers. I have no doubt that there 

 are vast possibilities in the State. The hematite you sent, by the way, looks like 

 a very pure article, and as soon as I can find time, I shall make a complete anal- 

 ysis of it. I fear though that the point where it occurs is so far from any iron 

 works, that it will not amount to much financially." 



Nature unfolds to the observer in Texas a wonderful variety and luxuriance. 

 The mineral resources of the State are known to exist in almost unlimited quan- 

 tities. But we have no geological survey, and I have received so far very little 

 encouragement in trying to repeat my work in Kansas and Missouri in founding 

 an Academy of Science. I am satisfied, however, that such a society could be 

 organized in due time, after enough hard work. If Texas had an Academy of 

 Science, composed of active scientists, in various parts of the State, it would exert 



